Description
Fried Mac and Cheese Bites are a crunchy, cheesy comfort food snack featuring creamy mac and cheese balls coated in a golden, crispy breading. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, these bites offer the ideal combination of creamy interior and crunchy exterior, customizable to your taste and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni – 2 cups (uncooked)
- Cheddar cheese – 2 cups shredded
- Milk – 1 1/2 cups
- Butter – 3 tbsp
- All-purpose flour – 3 tbsp
- Salt – 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
- Black pepper – 1/2 tsp
- Mustard powder – 1/4 tsp
Coating and Frying
- Bread crumbs – 1 1/2 cups (preferably fresh)
- Eggs – 2 large, beaten
- Oil for frying – about 3 cups (neutral oil with high smoke point, e.g., vegetable or canola oil)
Optional Seasonings and Variations
- Jalapeños (finely chopped) – 1 tbsp (optional, for spicy kick)
- Cayenne pepper – 1/4 tsp (optional)
- Fresh herbs (chives, parsley, thyme) – 1 tbsp chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Begin by boiling 2 cups of elbow macaroni according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside—this forms the base for the creamy cheese filling.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to make a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups of milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese along with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese: Mix the drained macaroni into the warm cheese sauce until every piece is evenly coated. Spread the mixture into a shallow pan and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until firm enough to shape.
- Form the Bites: Once chilled, scoop out small portions of the mixture using a spoon or cookie scoop and roll them into bite-sized balls. This step is essential to ensure the bites hold together during frying.
- Coat the Bites: Set up a breading station with a bowl of beaten eggs and a bowl of bread crumbs. Dip each mac and cheese ball first into the egg, then roll it in the bread crumbs to coat generously, ensuring a crispy crust.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat about 3 cups of oil in a deep pan or fryer to medium-high temperature (around 350°F to 375°F). Fry the bites in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn deep golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Notes
- Chill the mac and cheese mixture thoroughly to prevent bites from falling apart during frying.
- Use fresh bread crumbs for a superior crunchy texture.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer; fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- Test oil temperature by dropping a small crumb into the oil; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
- Drain the fried bites well on paper towels to keep them crisp and less oily.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bites (approx. 90g)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg